- Видео 14
- Просмотров 36 904
Christoph Stopka
Добавлен 26 янв 2016
Canyon Country
There are very few natural sights on our planet that can compete with the stunning landscapes of Utah. Whether it’s the gigantic Arches in Arches National Park, the fairytale sceneries of Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP and Canyonlands NP or the funky formations at Goblin State Park - no doubt, Utah is absolutely spectacular! But, unfortunately, most of these places are often hopelessly overcrowded or your visit is so restricted, that it takes much of the fun and spontaneity away. Bummer.
But it doesn’t have to be disappointing to explore Utah. Because beside the earlier mentioned famous landmarks, Utah has so many breathtakingly beautiful areas, sometimes hidden at the end of a dusty and bumpy d...
But it doesn’t have to be disappointing to explore Utah. Because beside the earlier mentioned famous landmarks, Utah has so many breathtakingly beautiful areas, sometimes hidden at the end of a dusty and bumpy d...
Просмотров: 67
Видео
The Sky is Falling…Including Venus and Jupiter!
Просмотров 151Год назад
Crazy-beautiful: Check out how Venus and Jupiter are seemingly dissolving as Magical star trails over the snow covered peaks of Westcliffe and the Wet Mountain Valley in Colorado.
Wings and Waves: Let’s go to Texas!
Просмотров 148Год назад
When the weather is becoming miserable in the rest of the country, it is time to head to beautiful Texas: spectacular canyons, uncrowded, endless beaches and magnificent wildlife with some of the rarest birds on the planet - Texas has it all!
Arapaho Bay: 10 Reasons Why it is Colorado’s Best Getaway
Просмотров 1,3 тыс.Год назад
From dramatic alpine landscapes of the Rockies to lush forests of the high plateaus and the endless prairie grasslands - Colorado has many sensational locations. But one place clearly stands out and has become the favorite insider destination: Arapaho Bay on Lake Granby! At the end of an eight mile long (sometimes rough) washboard aaaadirt road awaits a Vacation Nirvana. Hiking trails, camping,...
Clouds and Beyond: The unbelievable Skies over Westcliffe in Colorado
Просмотров 3 тыс.2 года назад
No doubt, Westcliffe and the Wet Mountain Valley of Colorado are simply magical. Whether day or night, no other place can match these spectacular skies with its crazy, awe-inspiring cloud formations or the brilliance of the star-studded night sky, when the Milky Way moves across the vast valley. Absolutely breathtaking. Flanked to the West by the towering 14,000 ft.-peaks of the Rocky Mountains...
Let It Slide!
Просмотров 1472 года назад
No need for pricey ski lodges, expensive gear and wasting time waiting around in long lines at the ski lift - this is how winter can be truly great fun: Get a cheap plastic sled, pick a nice, sloped hillside and then just let it slide!! This winter we prepared a fantastic, 300 yards long sled track right next our house in Westcliffe/Colorado, zigzagging slalom around ponderosa pine trees, caree...
14 Random Reasons Why We Love (Living In) Westcliffe, Colorado
Просмотров 20 тыс.2 года назад
Nine of the highest peaks in the USA including some of the world’s most difficult mountains to climb, plenty of scenic ranches, abundant wildlife everywhere, the dramatic, wide-open space of the Wet Mountain Valley, breathtaking, beautiful hikes to more than 40 pristine, crystal-clear high alpine lakes and the mind-blowing show at night, when the real stars come out to play: No doubt, Westcliff...
Sun and Surf: The Outer Banks
Просмотров 3472 года назад
From surfing big Atlantic waves to flying a Power Kite, hiking in huge dunes or simply enjoying the many endless beaches: North Carolina's Outer Banks are definitely GREAT fun! The best thing about the Outer Banks: Bring your best friend because dogs are allowed on all beaches too! This footage is from our trip to the Outer Banks in October 2021, when we stayed for two weeks in a little town ca...
Winter in Westcliffe, Colorado
Просмотров 6 тыс.3 года назад
From backcountry skiing in untouched wilderness to watching giant elk (Wapitis) herds with a backdrop of 14,000 foot peaks, from picking a different sled run for every day of the week or taking a RadRover fat tire e-bike for a spin in the fresh snow - Westcliffe in Colorado has it all. And much more. That's how winter is great fun. Take a look how we like to spend our time during the cold seaso...
Falling Water: South Mineral Falls in Colorado
Просмотров 1,6 тыс.3 года назад
Moose, snowy peaks and hiking in sensational scenery: A quick trip in September 2020 to South Mineral Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Colorado. Just outside the funky town of Silverton, at the end of a good, ca. four mile long dirt road you'll find South Mineral Campground and only a short uphill scramble away are the many-tiered waterfalls.
Frankie's Snowtime
Просмотров 2074 года назад
Frankie is a total snow dog! A mix of Huskie and Border Collie with piercing blue eyes, Frankie just loves winter and everything about snow. But there is one game that's his absolute favorite activity when the fluffy white stuff starts piling up: As soon as we need to shovel the snow around our house in the mountains of Colorado, Frankie goes crazy with his acrobatics! And he does this for hour...
FROZEN WORLD
Просмотров 1,9 тыс.5 лет назад
Frozen World: Nature’s Secret Fantasyland of Ice and Snow Experience a fascinating and largely hidden world of winter like it has never been seen before: Stunningly beautiful close-ups of delicate snowflakes, otherworldly - often microscopically tiny - formations of intricate ice crystals and iridescent air bubbles frozen mid-motion in high alpine creek ice. Witness through time-lapse how drops...
Living well with Parkinsons Disease: Christoph Stopka
Просмотров 1,2 тыс.7 лет назад
Christoph Stopka, an award winning and internationally known photographer and writer, shows that being diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease or other illnesses does not have to be the end of a happy life. A short and uplifting video to inspire other people how to make the best out of the situation by staying active and healthy and keeping a positive attitude. More information at www.christophstopka...
The Soul of Nature: A Year in the Rocky Mountains
Просмотров 7158 лет назад
The Soul of Nature: Roaming bears and battling bucks, raging snow storms and flowery, alpine meadows in summer - experience a year in the life of the Colorado Rocky Mountains like you have never seen it before! Stunning close-ups and incredible slow motion footage of wild animals including bears, coyotes, deer and others. Macro shots of delicate snowflakes, horned toads and butterflies and othe...
I discovered Westcliffe and the Wet Mountain Valley about 30 years ago on a motorcycle trip, the beauty blew me away...
Thank you...that was mesmerizing...and wo derful!😁
Wow. Gorgeous. A trip to Westcliffe is on my bucket list.
Amazing photography. Thank you
Fantastic. Thank you.
I had no idea how magnificent this town/area is in winter! We’ve been there in March, but have not experienced what you’ve shown here. I know this vid is 3 yrs old, but I just saw it first time, tonight - 4/5/24. We are in the process of moving to this area in the next 2 months. Can’t wait to experience our first winter, but I will have a wonderful summer first, thank you very much!
Please credit the original composer of this track : Tangerine Dream - Love on a Real Train
Thats right. Tom Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay getting it on, Ha Ha. Risky Business Baby. Love those old trains. Same ones in Chicago and NYC. From Back In The Day. When they had cane seats and real 3' fans overhead with white porcelain grab handles. Those were the days.
We just moved to Westcliffe a few months ago. And now that we have a chance to watch the sky here everyday - Wow! Especially the clouds around the mountains and Crestones. And the sky is beautiful at night too.
So secret you can’t tell us where it is???
If you still read these comments, thank you so much for this video. Beautifully shot and seamlessly edited. Not to mention the skies themselves. Incredulous, really. My wife and I are empty-nesters and moving to Westcliffe in 2024. We can't wait to become part of that beautiful, mountain community.
Excellent video Christoph ! I'll never forget that stunning cloud formation. It was truly ominous ! The first thing I thought of was the movie 'Independence Day', when the massive craft appeared out of a cloud very similar to that cloud over The Wet Mountains here in Westcliffe. Staggering image.
I hope it isn't advertised very much.
I want to move out here and retire. This is beautiful. Wow.
We had a getaway cabin for many years in Rosita. Fond memories.
I was trying to find something I saw in a dream once on Google maps and instead found Westcliffe. I want to visit. I don't have much money but I want to spend some time there someday. It looks like something in my dreams, a beautiful place.
Out of staters commonly over advertising Wyoming, bring more out of staters.
Stunning! Thanks for the video!
I’ve been to west cliff once. It’s just a beautiful place to drive over to from Raton New Mexico. If you wanna experience different then this is the place to see. Thank you for sharing!
There are no trees in Westcliff....
Spectacular views. Actively searching to move to this area. Edit: Still searching for just the right spot.
Awesome! I was fortunate to work their temporarily. One of the few places that are designated Dark Sky Communities. Great folk there. Hotel that I stayed at had spotty wifi but friendly dogs from the owner which made my day after a long day of work.
Views and everything really nice! Nice Colorado feeling but the actual town/ people was a bit racists. Worked there for Xcel and people be rude and employees from stores would return cash by throwing them back at you on the counter and not saying a single word with a weird look. Other than that views/ drive and feeling was amazing!
Awesome! Excellent video Christoph.
We absolutely adore Westcliffe but please, let's keep it a secret as long as possible!
No, I'm inviting all my friends to buy up houses there at above market price
@@JonFox1945 you would!
Most people can't stand the peace and quiet for very long. Their loss, our gain.
Nice vid!!! Im looking to move there!! How do you like it!! How is it near Rosita?!!!
I visit Westcliffe often. I have property and a cabin near Gardner. Thanks for the great video!
Awesome video. Thank you
We love Westcliffe. We started visiting Westcliffe by going to Horn Creek in 1972. when it was a tiny town. We were able to buy a small cabin in 2000 in Rosita and later bought a larger cabin in Antelope Valley on 10 acres. Sadly we haven’t owned a second home in Westcliffe since 2008.
My family used to work at Horn Creek, in 2000-2002! I was 16 at the time and so heartbroken to leave. My wife, our 5 kids and I just came back from camping at Alvarado! We love that area very much!
Silver Mountain is in Walsenburg. Definitely not West Cliffe. Maybe even can be considered Gardner.
Hi McParody, Thanks for your note about Silver Mountain. Yes, you are correct: technically Silver Mnt. is not in the township of Westcliffe. That’s why we didn’t state anywhere “Silver Mnt is IN Westcliffe”, since that would be wrong. But it is nearby and only a short drive away. And since we called this video “14 reasons why we love living in Westcliffe”, stunningly beautiful, nearby Silver Mountain is definitely one of the reasons! Because it is only a quick drive down the road…
@Christoph Stopka Westcliffe is a great little town. I've been there several times. Mostly to go bowling, lol.
Bowling at Cliff Lanes is a great reason to come to Westcliffe! Have Fun!!
This was a great representation of the beautiful sky in westcliffe and surrounding areas! I distinctly remember that super cell! It was awesome. We got in the side by side and followed it for sometime! Just beautiful!
Ha!! Salida kicks Westcliff’s a$$!!
Hi Karl, Hmm, Nobody here is aware that there is a competition going on between Westcliffe and Salida…could it be Salida is eager to prove something? Jealousy? Anyway. But I wholeheartedly agree: If Westcliffe and Salida would ever be competing against each other, Salida would easily win . Salida has more cars clogging up the roads, way more people and bikes lumbering on (fewer) trails (to fewer lakes) than WC, Salida definitely beats WC when it comes to pollution going up into the air, has much higher temperatures, especially in the summertime since Salida sits at a lower elevation. And - beside the number of red lights ( Westcliffe has NONE!) there is one category where WC is hopelessly behind: Salida has way more houses, covering basically every inch of real estate (and often blocking the view of the beautiful mountain range outside of town). After all, who cares that I can see NINE peaks more than 14,000 ft tall from our property, have dozens and dozens of unbelievable, quiet hiking trails to choose from, leading to a multitude of stunning, high-alpine lakes that are brimming with trout, but are mostly without people. But really, who cares, those things are all totally overrated, right? Yeah, you’re probably right: Salida would kick Westcliffe’s butt. But only in your dreams.
@christophstopka4285 nice retort. Love the area and prefer fewer people...
Wow what an amazing place and you're allowed to. Live there? Is there sites for you know hook UPS and water and everything because I would live either in a camper or a tiny home or try to buy property? Are you near A town nearby or anything like that are there hospitals nearby? I mean is this out in the boonies or are you near everything? How far of a drive until you get to a grocery store? Is what I'm asking stuff like that? And is it affordable? Or is it expensive to live there? Because I'm very interested what a beautiful spot and what's it near as in? Is it near Rocky Mountain national? Or is it another part of Colorado that we don't know about cause? I've never heard of it. I've heard a Bear Lake and that's at Rocking national so if you could can you give me some more information love this area?
Westcliff has a downtown. Grocery store, gas station, PO, municipal building, bowling alley, art galleries & restaurants. There is even a small airport just out of town in Centennial Ranch. It is in-between the Wet Mountains & the San Dio De Christo mountain ranges- giving some of the most spectacular views
You probably done your own research hopefully by now but if not :: No its nowhere near Rocky Mtn NP. and there are many Bear Lakes in CO. You cannot live in a camper for more than 14 days and you must have a way to dispose of grey and black water. There is 1 good RV park a few miles out of town. No Boondocking. Limited medical services. Its a small town that attracts day and overnite tourists who are up for a few hours driving to get to it. Chic little tourist cafes and a brew pub with not so great food. The one local grocery store is EXPENSIVE. for example : nearly $8 for a half gallon of tropicana OJ, $6 for a gallon of regular whole milk ( not organic) Their selections of food is for what I call the meat n potatoes crowd . Not much healthy food found here. I dont know how the regular farm families are able to afford anything in this market. Depending on where one lives it can be a short 15 min drive to town or an hour . They probaby drive hour and 45 to Canon City to stock up at Walmart . Building codes are strict and enforced in Custer County. Your best bet is to visit first then decide if you want to spend $40k for one acre of decent raw land .
Hi L., sorry that the clip was too short. And, yes, it should have been longer, but it took already 2 1/2 hours of filming (!) to get this little 8-sec video. Also, when Venus and Jupiter vanished behind the Sangres I felt it was time to quit and get warm again 😉. But I would be more than happy to email you a nice photo of last night’s star trails! I just need your email address.
Way too short.. for such a beautiful sky fall.....love your videos of our town...💞
💯👍
I plan to visit in a few months from COS.
Beautiful place but far away from any international airport and a decent grocery store.
Where the hell is Westcliffe?
Westcliffe is not ‘hell’ - it is heaven out here. Located in South Central Colorado. Check it out on a map - you know, those things made out paper, where one can find the location of a place or town…
Westcliffe is directly West of Pueblo in the Sangre de Christo mountains.
@@christophstopka4285 Or rather comment, if you know how to read a map, the kind the service station used to give out for free, then you would love and know where Westcliffe is. Yea, I'm from Back In The Day and I would love to check out Westcliffe. Love to get my Pioneer Spirit On.
Is there an actual address to get there? I tried looking it up on all trails app ? Gorgeous falls .
Love this. Looks like you are having fun. Miss you both so much.
Thank you so much, Paula! We miss you too…
Thank you so much, Paula! We miss you too…
Thank you, I hope someday I can live here too.
My secret gem.
Awesome film work 👍! Greetings from Buena Vista Colorado. I’m going there in a couple of weeks to visit a friend and go to the Amish bakery.
I like the area because the people tend to have a very conservative attitude.
The Wet Mountain Valley is a major flyway for migrating birds and there are a lot of birdwatchers with their little log books taking advantage of rare bird sightings there.
Hi Russel, Thank you for your kind response to our video! It sounds like you definitely know the area very well. And yes, we are also every day fascinated by all of the different birds in this valley.
I grew up in La Veta not to far from Westcliffe and Silver Cliff. I spent some time in the Silver Dome and worked for the US Forest Service in the San Carlos Ranger District. I've spent some time in the mountains there. Music pass is a favorite of mine.
“You call some place paradise kiss it goodbye” Eagles
Excellent video! We lived there from 1983 to 1986, I miss Westcliffe every day! I've been to many of those locations in the high country fishing the high mountain lake as well as Grape creek. Well done!
Thank you for your kind words! So glad you like the video. Hope you will still be able to come back frequently and visit this beautiful area.
Hi I really liked your video. I was wondering the song was called ?
Thanks for the video, I’m moving to westcliffe soon so this helps
Welcome to the (very beautiful) neighborhood! If you have any questions about the area (or maybe you are looking for some fine art photography prints for your home/office?) please don’t hesitate to contact me through my website: www.christophstopka.com
@@christophstopka4285 thank you
I was shocked! This is the most wonderful combination of light and shadow I have ever seen. Attracted by your video, I will look for the beautiful scenery in your video in this July!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! Much appreciated. And it sounds like you are planning on coming here for a visit? If you need any tips or help with your visit, please, don’t hesitate to contact me at christoph@christophstopka.com or through RUclips.